All gamers are nerds? or know alot about computers?

[TOGSolid]

I've got a passing knowledge of most computer topics thanks to a halfway aborted run at a CCNA and a Computer Science degree, before I realized that I didn't want to work on computers for a living and joined the Merchant Marines.

It also kinda helps that I've been using computers for roughly 20 years

Ahh boot disks, now THERE'S something I don't miss from the ole days of gaming.

I've never had someone assume because I'm a gamer I know computers. It's always because I run my god damn mouth every time someone mentions an issue with a computer and then they ask me to fix it. One of these days I'll learn to keep my mouth shut (not likely).

Also, out here at sea, I've noticed a bit of an oddity. Almost none of the engineers know how to type, so when they see me blazing away on the keyboard, they almost invariably cock an eyebrow and next thing I know, I'm crawling around under the desk troubleshooting with the alarm panel isn't working.

 

[Larenxis]

I don't really get pegged as a nerd for some reason. Only my sister seems to think that I'm geeky. But then she considers anyone who plays a game other than WoW as geeky, so it's a low bar to jump.

When I talk about games I generally get one of three reactions.
Person who does not play games: "Oh, you're into video games? Good for you." (disinterested)
Person who plays some games: "Oh cool! What do you play? The Sims? Final Fantasy?" (gender profiling)(I really hate FF)
Person who plays lots of games: "So what do you think of " (The Force Unleashed has such cool physics!)
I obviously prefer the third one, but it's the most rare.

Oh, and nobody really expects me to know anything about computers unless they're over 40, and then their questions are generally ones I can answer easily.

 

[NewClassic_v1legacy]

I don't really get pegged as a nerd for some reason. Only my sister seems to think that I'm geeky. But then she considers anyone who plays a game other than WoW as geeky, so it's a low bar to jump.

When I talk about games I generally get one of three reactions.
Person who does not play games: "Oh, you're into video games? Good for you." (disinterested)
Person who plays some games: "Oh cool! What do you play? The Sims? Final Fantasy?" (gender profiling)(I really hate FF)
Person who plays lots of games: "So what do you think of " (The Force Unleashed has such cool physics!)
I obviously prefer the third one, but it's the most rare.

Oh, and nobody really expects me to know anything about computers unless they're over 40, and then their questions are generally ones I can answer easily.

What do you think about Fallout 3? Think it's going to live up to the hype and the nostalgia of it's predecessors? Personally, I'm hopeful, but I've loved the Fallout series.

ON TOPIC
Oddly enough, I find myself fixing increasingly easier problems as I learn more. Not that I find what used to be hard easy, but that the problems themselves are easier (actually, not relatively). It's kinda sad, given the effort I go into learning new stuff.

Ah well.

 

[TOGSolid]

Yeah, I've kinda noticed that all the problems these days take very little time to fix. Whereas in the old days you had to be a walking rolodex of post boot errors and other obscure information in order to get shit done.

PC Load Letter? The fuck does that mean!?

 

[pieeater911]

I have basic computer knowledge. Every now and again I can fix some small problems with computers.

Otherwise, I gotta take it to a shop if something goes wrong.

 

[flatearth]

I have already given up on talking about gaming. Only few of my friends play any games, but no one plays nearly as much as I. Then again, I have spent all my life playing games, over 22 years of it to be exact. I have done CCNA, I'm just finishing my bachelor's in network technology, I can fix many problems that might occur with a wide array of computer related machinery. Only thing about computers I don't know is coding. I just can't get my head around any language. The only successful thing I have done is tic-tac-toe on C++ with if/else structure. And take a guess what job offers I get all the time?

Only thing that redeems my nerdiness is my appearance. Lots of tattoos, some piercings, used to have a long dark hair (cut it a month ago). I pretty much look something between an old goth and a psychobilly.

 

[perfectimo]

Yeah, I've kinda noticed that all the problems these days take very little time to fix. Whereas in the old days you had to be a walking rolodex of post boot errors and other obscure information in order to get shit done.

PC Load Letter? The fuck does that mean!?

I had an interesting problem not to long ago, in a hardware test in fact. After making a primary partition for the hdd that xp was going to go on it did t's usual "XP will reboot and continue with installation" only problem was it wiped itself upon reboot. That almost failed that test for me.

 

[Death916]

one problem i couldnt fix. was when my old xp pc blue screened. i took it to a shop and they said there was absoulutely nl reason why it did that. but after that it would crash about twice a week

 

[iamnotincompliance]

Due to my nature of doing things as differently from what other people are doing as possible, my description of me: Casual gamer*, competent computer builder**, able to solve most software problems*** (but can't code worth squat), and just good enough under the hood of a car to get myself into serious trouble****, a fair sound system builder*****, I built the home network connecting my computers to the internets, and typing-wise, I am a five-finger-usually-staring-at-the-keyboard kind (my own style, thank you). So, I'm a gamer, I'm a nerd (no two ways about it), I know enough about computers that we could call it "a lot", but there's more, and that's how I like it.

*I have "hardcore" games, but I play them "casually". If someone comes up with a term that would describe that, that would be spectacular (I don't feel like thinking about that, alright?). Not that I don't play "casual" games, but I'll take a multi-million dollar particle fest over that.

**The "black monolith" I mentioned somewhere else around these parts (which has a nearly identical twin elsewhere in the house), well, I built both of those. I'd call that competent.

***Except, ironically, usually my own. Software just stops doing what it's supposed to on me, and I don't know why. I've given up caring why, too.

****All three of my cars are in a state of disrepair due to my project curse. Any project I undertake turns into an unmitigated disaster before it's over i.e. my latest one, where tightening a loose speaker wire has resulted in pieces of my dashboard all over the garage, and another garage, and on top of my other project cars.

*****Now that I've inspired confidence with that last statement, this is the only problem I have ever had with any sound system I've built [knock on wood while holding rabbit's foot and four-leaf clover]. Pfft, as if that luck stuff will help.

 

[TOGSolid]

If someone comes up with a term that would describe that, that would be spectacular

.....


Casually Hard?

 

[NewClassic_v1legacy]

If someone comes up with a term that would describe that, that would be spectacular

.....


Casually Hard?

Hardcasual?

 

[perfectimo]

i thought casual pretty much covered it.

 

[flatearth]

If someone comes up with a term that would describe that, that would be spectacular

.....


Casually Hard?

Hardcasual?

Hasual?

Card?

 

[PurpleRain]

Yeah, I tend to get put into the "He plays games, he must know heaps about computers," catagory alot. I know jack about computers. Hardware goes inside the PC, software is discs and stuff. And that's still techno babble to me.

Person who plays some games: "Oh cool! What do you play? The Sims? Final Fantasy?" (gender profiling)(I really hate FF)

Thank god someone said it.

I was talking to this girl and found out she liked games:
"Cool, so what type of games do you like?"
"Oh I like Final Fantasy..."
"Oh. Ok then."

Sort of the opposite of what you said, but this time I had your reaction. I thought I was reaching out to someone only to get stabbed.

 

[NewClassic_v1legacy]

Yeah, I tend to get put into the "He plays games, he must know heaps about computers," catagory alot. I know jack about computers. Hardware goes inside the PC, software is discs and stuff. And that's still techno babble to me.

Person who plays some games: "Oh cool! What do you play? The Sims? Final Fantasy?" (gender profiling)(I really hate FF)

Thank god someone said it.

I was talking to this girl and found out she liked games:
"Cool, so what type of games do you like?"
"Oh I like Final Fantasy..."
"Oh. Ok then."

Sort of the opposite of what you said, but this time I had your reaction. I thought I was reaching out to someone only to get stabbed.

I wonder if I'd get lynched for mentioned that I've liked the FF games, historically. Certainly not gaming masterpieces, but not all that bad either. A little above par, and worth my playing time, I think.

Ah well. I generally enjoy the FF games.

 

[Death916]

can we stay on topic please.

 

[perfectimo]

can we stay on topic please.

Okay then. Generally someone who "games" noncasually would be considered a nerd, although standards are changing now with consoles becoming a lot more popular in the mainstream entertainment industry, but knowing a lot about computers is most definitely not the case. Xbox live players game and I think their experience with computers could only extend to being able to post on dodgey forums about their "mad skillz" and the "n00bs / fags" that they "pwned".

 

[Larenxis]

Oh no, I don't hold it against someone when they say they like FF. I just don't fancy JRPGs, really. I understand it's personal taste.
Uh... now I have to think of something on topic. Er... I actually know a fair amount about computers for someone who has never taken a course I suppose. I know about overclocking and external drives and such. Trouble is I compare myself to the obsessed rather than the unwashed masses who don't know what CPU stands for.

 

[Corven]

I only know basic things about computers or if there are step-by-step instructions then I can do some of the more complicated stuff, but for some reason since I can match RCA cables and can follow the color coded plugs on the back of a computer I've now become my families official cable guy whenever they need something hooked up.